Conditions of acceptance: A sociological analysis of the growing acceptance of gay, bisexual and queer men in sport

This thesis examines the assertion that acceptance for gay, bisexual and queer men is growing within the context of men's sports in Canada and interrogates the ways in which this acceptance is being achieved. A critical analysis of the experiences of five GBQ men in university sport and the mission statements of two LGBTQ acceptance organizations provide context for a form of conditional acceptance being granted to certain GBQ men in Canada. Eric Anderson's (2009) Inclusive Masculinity Theory (IMT) is examined alongside Necropower, Whitestream, Homonormativity and Homonationalism. Although IMT argues that acceptance is growing for GBQ athletes in sport, it ignores the power structures interacting with this acceptance, which lead to uneven access to acceptance. Using Queer Theoretical perspectives, this thesis critically analyzes the uneven access to acceptance in sport for GBQ men.